Direct Payments and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

When a client is under 18 years old, a Personal Assistant's employment cannot begin until an enhanced DBS check has been completed and verified. If the person receiving the care is an adult, they may decide they want the Personal Assistant (PA) to start prior to this check being completed or in some circumstances may not see it necessary to complete a check.

An enhanced DBS check (formerly CRB check) will show any criminal convictions or cautions you should be aware of. DBS checks are now completed online at a faster rate than in the past and will not cost the employee any money personally, as the cost will be met from your Direct Payments funding.

Apply online

To complete an enhanced DBS application online, the PA will need to provide proof of identification as detailed at Gov.uk: Documents you need for a criminal record check.

The PA should Contact Direct Payments for further information.

When the PA has completed the online application they need to Contact Direct Payments with copies of relevant ID documents and confirm the following details:

• they have completed the online form
• the name of the person they are going to be or are working for
• if the care takes place in their own home
• whether this check is a renewal DBS or their first DBS for this position

It is vital that you, as the employer, sight these original documents and the DBS before the person starts their first working day. We will confirm with you what documents you need to view.

Check the DBS certificate

The PA will receive the DBS certificate directly and you should ask them to provide this to you when received. You should check the document for any disclosed convictions or cautions. We will be made aware if there are any cautions or convictions on the DBS and a process will begin to make sure you as an employer have been made aware of any cautions or convictions, so you and the council can make an informed decision to keep you safe. 

We, the council, require checks to be renewed after five years. Your PA will be contacted after five years to ask them to complete a new check. If your member of staff or person you would like to employ is registered for the DBS Update Service and has a copy of their original certificate, then a new DBS may not be required. Please ask them to Contact Direct Payments to discuss this further.

Self-employed workers/childminders are responsible for paying for their own DBS and renewal checks, the council can be used as an umbrella organisation.